Clearing the Air on Indoor Air Quality

President’s Update

I appreciate the opportunity to reflect on my first year as president of IAQA. I am excited about the upcoming year and enthusiastically predict continued growth and association success.

In recognition of the individual and collective contributions that have made this past year a success, I want to thank the individual members, committee chairs and members, chapter directors and their respective boards, the board of directors, and the outstanding IAQA staff.

I always want to take the opportunity to state the IAQA Mission Statement. “The IAQA is dedicated to bringing practitioners together to prevent and solve indoor environmental problems for the benefit of customers and the public.”

I’m especially proud of the diversity of our membership: consultants, contractors, manufacturers, business service providers, laboratories, facility owners, property managers, government, medical professionals, academics, and the military. This varied membership dedicated to indoor air quality, plus more than a dozen partner organizations, is what makes the IAQA a distinct association. IAQA is the only indoor air quality trade organization that connects all parts of the industry to collaborate, grow and educate.

This is an particularly important time to be part of a large scholarly association, one that can connect and advocate for its members. State and federal laws along with regulations are changing at an increasing rate. It’s very important to provide information regarding these changes to our members. Our Government Affairs (GA) committee is committed to providing that information. Through their hard work and diligence, the IAQA can continue to provide vital information regarding industry changes at the state and federal level that could have a dramatic effect on our members. To our GA committee, thank you.

There has been an increase in states enacting licensing laws requiring our members to obtain a license for mold assessments and mold remediation. Along with these licenses are the training and continuing education that our members will require to obtain and renew their state licensing. This is where our Education Committee really shines. Our Education Committee has worked hard to provide our members with onsite training, webinars, online training through IAQA University, and of course our annual convention. IAQA – Where the IAQ Industry Connects and Learns! I want to thank the Education Committee for their dedication and a successful year.

We currently have more than 20 chapters located throughout the United States and international chapters in Canada, India, China, Australia and Singapore. This last year, we made changes in the structure of our IAQA chapters. There was a shift in the leadership makeup from a single chapter director with an advisory board to a chapter director, vice director, treasurer, and membership development chair. This provides each chapter with a succession plan, identifying and developing new chapter leaders who can replace old leaders when they complete their term or retire. The succession plan will ensure the strength of each chapter while ensuring that these transitions occur smoothly, with little disruption to the chapter.

To help increase the communication between our members and our chapters, our Chapter Relations Committee and our Membership Committee have merged into one super committee dedicated to enriching our member experience individually and within their local chapter. With this merger, we have realized an increase in new members and our chapter leadership is beginning to receive support in ways they haven’t in the past. To our Chapter and Membership Super Committee, thank you for all you do to enrich our member experience.

Over the years there has been the annual fiscal challenge of meeting the association’s financial needs while presenting a balanced budget for the association. A rigorous challenge for the very detail-oriented members of the Financial Committee. This year I’m proud to announce that we have a balanced budget that meets the needs of our great association. Thanks to each and every member of the Financial Committee and staff involved in the successful planning of our financial future.

Standards are plentiful in our industry and IAQA is a contributor to the much-needed standardization of how we provide consistent service to our clients. Our Standards Committee is currently working on three industry standards.

IAQA/ASHRAE 2210P/Initial Residential Mold Assessment Standard

IAQA/ASHRAE 3210P/Standard Guide for the Inspection of an Educational Facility for Moisture Intrusion and Mold Growth

IAQA/ASHRAE/RIA 6000P/Standards for Fire Damage Restoration

Our dedicated committee members have been working on these standards for several years and are reaching completion. These committee members have selflessly given countless hours of service to the association and should be heralded as heroes of the association. To these heroic volunteers, I whole heartedly thank you for your dedication and service.

The IAQA Annual Conference Committee is clearly one of the hardest-working committees we have. Together with staff, these dedicated committee members successfully organize a conference that provides educational and networking opportunities; the latest being the 20th Annual Meeting, January 30 – February 1, 2017, at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

The IAQA 20th Annual Meeting & Indoor Air Expo featured workshops, panel discussions, dozens of technical presentations, meal and social functions, along with a large exposition hall. The Convention Committee received so many high-quality presentation submissions that the committee decided to add an unprecedented full fourth track to our technical program. For the first time, IAQA convention attendees could attend the entire technical program of the ASHRAE Winter Meeting. The 20th Annual Meeting was a huge success. I have to thank the committee, staff, and volunteers that helped plan, organize and facilitate a wildly successful annual meeting.

As members of the IAQA, you have wonderful member benefits that I encourage you to take full advantage of. These include:

Find-a-Pro database: Increase your business with customer referrals from the IAQA website.